Russian prosecutors demand 23 years’ jail for pilot Savchenko

A Russian court began delivering its verdict Monday on Ukrainian pilot Nadiya Savchenko, accused of murder over the killing of two Russian journalists in Ukraine.

Prosecutors said Savchenko ordered the mortar fire that killed the journalists and want her jailed for 23 years.

Earlier reports that Savchenko had been found guilty were wrong, her lawyer, Mark Feigin, told reporters Monday.

“You heard the first introductory and explanatory parts, some media hurried with the guilty verdict,” Feigin said, according to AFP.

Savchenko, who is on hunger strike, denies the charges and says she was kidnapped by rebel fighters before the attack and later handed over to the Russian authorities.

Her legal team presented phone records that they say prove she was captured by pro-Russian rebels, but Russian prosecutors say she secretly crossed into Russian territory herself. Western and Ukrainian politicians have called for her release.

The incident happened in June 2014, at the height of fighting between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian rebels.

This article has been corrected to reflect that Savchenko has not yet been found guilty. The result was erroneously reported earlier Monday by news agencies.